The Practice of Audiology: A Study of Clinical Activities and Knowledge Areas for the Certified Audiologist. Research Report.

Tannenbaum, Richard J.; Rosenfield, Michael

This job analysis study examined the tasks, knowledge, and skills involved in the practice of audiology, to modify and update the audiology performance domains identified in a 1987 study. The job analysis involved a multi-method approach that included a panel of 14 subject matter experts and a survey of 1,331 practicing audiologists, 87 educators, and 126 clinical fellowship supervisors of audiologists. The survey asked participants to: rate the importance of specific clinical activities and knowledge areas for newly certified audiologists; identify where the clinical activities and knowledge areas are learned by newly certified audiologists; and identify where clinical activities and knowledge areas should be learned. Findings indicated that practitioners, educators, and clinical-fellowship supervisors were in agreement in terms of the clinical activities and knowledge areas needed by entry-level audiologists and of their relative importance. Practitioners and clinical-fellowship supervisors agreed that many of the clinical activities and knowledge areas should be learned or acquired earlier in the educational process than is currently the case. Educators, however, did not share this belief, feeling that clinical activities and knowledge areas were being learned and acquired at the appropriate time. Findings have implications for modification of certification standards and redesign of curriculum and design of certification examinations. (CR)